Rassie Erasmus Names 46-Man Springbok Squad for Nations Championship

Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus has named a 46-man squad for the inaugural Nations Championship, blending experienced World Cup winners with a group of exciting newcomers.

The Springboks will begin their campaign against England in Johannesburg on 4 July before facing Scotland and Wales, followed by a one-off Test against Argentina in August.

Six Uncapped Players Earn Call-Ups

Erasmus has included six uncapped players in the squad, signalling a strong focus on building depth ahead of future international campaigns.

The newcomers are:

• Paul de Villiers
• Riley Norton
• Ruben van Heerden
• Carlu Sadie
• Vusi Moyo
• Jaco Williams

All six impressed during recent Springbok and SA ‘A’ camps and have now earned an opportunity to stake their claim at Test level.

“We are pleased with the quality of the group we have selected, and it’s also exciting to see the next generation of players coming through in Riley, Vusi, Paul, Carlu, Ruben and Jaco,” said Erasmus.

“They all proved against the Barbarians and SA ‘A’ teams that they have what it takes to play at the highest level.”

Jantjies and Papier Return

Among the biggest talking points is the return of scrumhalves Herschel Jantjies and Embrose Papier.

Jantjies returns to the Springbok setup for the first time since August 2023, while Papier earns a recall after an eight-year absence following a standout season with the Vodacom Bulls.

Papier was recently named SA Vodacom URC Player of the Season after helping guide the Bulls to another strong campaign.

Bulls Lead the Way

The Vodacom Bulls contribute 12 players to the squad.

Among those selected are:

• Handré Pollard
• Kurt-Lee Arendse
• Canan Moodie
• Cameron Hanekom
• Ruan Nortje
• Wilco Louw
• Marco van Staden
• Embrose Papier

Experienced prop Thomas du Toit also returns after completing his club season with Bath in England.

Experience Meets Youth

The squad retains a strong core of experienced internationals, including:

• Siya Kolisi
• Eben Etzebeth
• Pieter-Steph du Toit
• Cheslin Kolbe
• Damian Willemse
• Damian de Allende
• Malcolm Marx

Their presence will provide valuable leadership as the new faces transition into the international environment.

Nations Championship Fixtures

South Africa’s Nations Championship schedule includes:

• England – 4 July (Johannesburg)
• Scotland
• Wales
• Argentina (August)

The tournament will provide Erasmus and his coaching team with an opportunity to assess squad depth while maintaining momentum ahead of future international competitions.

With a balance of proven performers and emerging talent, the Springboks will head into the competition aiming to continue building on their recent success.

Read Inbound SA online